Hi all,
In the tornado of games released during Steam Next Fest, I happened to launch my debut, a free demo. Hidden Lines is a game about genealogy and family history.
I’ve never created a game before and have been working on it for 18 months, alongside my other work, not seldomly with my toddler in my lap. The game features over 150 hand-painted watercolor images and fourteen original piano compositions, Genesiennes I–XIV. I used Godot 4.5.1 and Nathan Hoad’s Dialogue Manager addon, which has been perfect for learning and creating. This forum has also been a great help, of course .
Through my work with a genealogy platform, I’ve come across hundreds of stories about people trying to understand where they came from. I wanted to explore some of those experiences in a new medium. In Hidden Lines, you search for a parent you never knew. You use DNA tests, archives, consult genealogists and interview eccentric relatives. People help, confuse, disagree with each other and tell contradictory stories. The emotional experience of genealogical research is central to the game. And if you like dry humor, that help s.
I’m reaching out to this community for feedback on the gameplay. I’d especially appreciate comments on what features you think could improve the ga me.
The demo ends before the quest is finished, so the scope of feedback may be limited. The full game will have nine different scenarios, with many possible routes and different endings depending on your choices. I may also ask for playtesters later, if anyone has the time and interest to h elp.
The demo is here:
Hidden Lines - Family mysteries on Steam
I even got my first YouTube playthrough a few days ago. It’s a lovely feeling to see the little seed you planted start to sprout, and somewhere, someone enjoying the little thing you created.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-vACHD8c8c
Thanks for taking a look!
Pelle Fi lipsson